Community Corner

Are You Being a 'Helicopter Parent'?

A new study shows that over-controlling parents can cause their college-aged children to be depressed. What sort of tasks do you preform for your student? Is there such a thing as too much?

Do you still do your college kid's laundry? Wake him or her up for class? Manage the student's schedule? Make calls to tutors? If so, a new study shows you could be doing more harm than good.

According to a recent Reuters article, Holly Schiffrin from the University of Mary Washington in Virginia found so-called "helicopter parenting" negatively affected college students by undermining their need to feel independent and competent. Helicopter parenting refers to parents who hover over and micro-manage their child’s school and social lives, according to a PsychCentral.com article on Schiffrin's study.

"To find parents so closely involved with their college lives, contacting their tutors and running their schedules, is something new and on the increase," Schiffrin told Reuters. "It does not allow independence and the chance to learn from mistakes."

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The article went on to say that Schiffrin's study found students with over-controlling parents were more likely to be depressed and less satisfied with their lives. One reason for this emerging phenomenon could be parents being concerned with their child's chances of success in tough economic times, the article said.

So, Patch asks: What is an acceptable role for a parent in a college student's life? How do you let your college student make their own mistakes? What is something you do for your student that you think you should start or stop doing? Tell us in the comments section below.

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